Portable weeding device



Oct. 16, 1928. 1,687,948

A. J. oLsEN PORTABLE WEE-DING DEVICE Filed June 2, 1925 I ),IVIVIVIVI Patented Oct. 16, 1928.

UNITED STATES ANTON JOHANNES OLSEN, OF SOLLSTED, LOLLAND, DENMARK.

PORTABLE WEEDING DEVICE.

Application filed .Tune 2, 1926, Serial No. 113,310, and in Denmark June 25, 1925.

lhen weeding turnip fields and 4similar ields, the farm-hand doing the work must crawl on his knees and support his upper bodg7 partly by his thighs and his left arm and hand, the right arm and hand being required for effecting` the weeding. This position of the body is very uncomfortable, the knees become soon weary, as does the left hand and arm also, and the left hand cannot take a part in the weeding work.

These drawbacks are obviated by the present invention which relates to a portable frame intended to carry the upper body of the weeding farm-hand, so that his knees are relieved from the weight and pressure of his body, and he can use both hands for the weed ing work.

A constructional Jform of this portable frame is illustrated diagrammatically and by way oi. example on the accompanying drawingon which Figure l is a rear view, vFigure 2 a plan, and Figure 3 a side view thereof; Fie'ure fl shows some details.

The frame proper which is the uppermost part of the structure is composed of two parallel rods a, preferably bamboo-rods, and ot tour cross-bars connecting said rods with each other. From each bar Z) extends downwardly a V-shaped member c. The bars b are arranged in two pairs, and each pair of the if-shaped members carries a wheel Z designed, preferably, as an ordinary bicycle wheel.

An oblong board e arranged at right angles with respect to the rods c is attached to the lower side of the two rods a, and secured thereto for instance by cords Fig. 2. Laterally from the board e the rods a are connected with each other also by two endless ropes f which can be tensioned by two arms 5,', each of which is inserted between the superposed parts of one ot' the endless ropes f whereby these. parts can be turned around one another, the respective arm being v turned in a vertical plane lying'parallel to the rods av and between them. This tensioninghaving been effected, the free ends ofthe arms g are retained in their position by the board c.

The ropes 7 carry a flexible body support 7L by means of cords o, Figs. 1 and 4; this body support or carrier consists of linen or other soft material and is preferably two-parted,

the two parts being connected with each other by buckles or clasps m whereby the width of the carrier k can be accommodated to the thickness or slenderness of the body of the respective farm-hand. Each half of the body carrier h has a considerably smaller extension 7c extendingirst forwardly and then upwardly, Figs. l and 4, whereby three large openings j, z', j, are formed. Through the openings' the farm-handrputs his head, and through the openings y', he puts his arms, that is to say, both armsfor doing the weeding work. The upper ends of the extensions 7c are atlixed to the front end ot the board c.

The body carrier h is being so adjusted relatively to the figure of the respective farmhand, as well as to the ground, that the knees ot that farm-hand are in touch wit-h thev ground so much as to'enable him to push the portable frame forward according to the progress of the weeding. The frame may be moved, however,v also by the hands of the farm-hand it he prefers this manner.

The distance between the wheels is such f that the trame can be moved along between the rows of the plants without doing any damage to them.

The weeding work is greatly facilitated i by the device described, and the efficiency is double that otherwise attained.

I wish it to be understood that I do not limit myself tothe details shown and del scribed merely by wayv of example. There may be variations in size and shape and Inareceive the. front-portion of the upper body ot the respective farm-hand, each body carrier portion having a forwardly and upwardly directedr extension connected with the said trame at its free end, substantially and for the purpose set forth..

In testimony whereof I atix my signature.

ANTON JOHANNES 'OLSEN- 

